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Big name players are back to fitness for Los Jaguares. Today’s training in Buenos Aires featured the return of seven players who missed the recent three-match away series in South Africa.
Los Jaguares are to play host to the Sharks this coming Saturday. Head Coach Raúl Pérez is to have all but two of his roster fit for the encounter. Declared unfit for the fixture are the recovering forward pairing of Matías Alemanno and Julián Montoya.
Alemanno was injured playing in South Africa earlier this month. While he is currently sidelined the team has now been joined by the fit-again Tomás Lavanini. The Pumas lock has not played at all since injuring his knee against the Springboks last August. Lavanini joins Marcos Kremer, Ignacio Larrague and Guido Petti as Pérez’ second-row options.
Also fit for the first time this season is Javier Ortega Desio. The flanker was injured in pre-season activity and is now ready for game time. Fellow back-rower Leonardo Senatore is also fit. Senatore missed last Friday’s match against the Lions.
Tight Head prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro also trained today. He is another yet to receive game time this year. In 2016 he was utilized on both sides of the scrum and this may be repeated given the strong resources available at Tight Head.
In the backs there were also a number of returning players. Scrum half Martín Landajo was involved for the first time since January. In his absence Gonzalo Bertranou and Felipe Ezcurra have been utilized. One or both may yet play in the June Internationals as Tomás Cubelli (Brumbies) remains sidelined.
Center Matías Moroni and winger Manuel Montero both also trained today. Moroni was injured in March but is now ready to return. Montero has not played since August. Matías Orlando has started at outside center while options have been tested in place of Montero on the wing. Veterans Juan Martín Hernández and Juan Manuel Leguizamón are both also ready to return.
